THE MOSQUITO.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1841, 26 November 1874, Page 2

THE MOSQUITO.

I have chosen the mosquito as the subject of a few remarks. The mosquito has often chosen me as an object of sundry attentions, which though small in themselves, f o to make up the sum total of existence. Our relations have been most intimate, so that I shall feel afe liberty to criticise them in the most familiar manner. There is a diversity of opinion in regard to the mosquito, lie is held by many to be the foe of the human race; others see in his life and labors a mission to develope patience among men ; while some regard him" as especially designed to assist vitality in the warbiers «f the sky—meaning birds—which eat him. | By reason of such diversity of opinion, it will be seen that there is great difficulty in reaching a just estimate of his character. However, there are some facts which cannot be disputed. Whatever the ; general opinion, the mosquito possesses at least some traits which are worthy of admiration; for instance—the rem^kable : degree of self-possession which t^mosquito at all times and under all circumstances displays, is worthy of note, and " cannot be too highly commended—whatever tumult may be around him, the mos- - quito remains calm—if overcome by the fury of the moment you strike at him with a clenched hand, he will calmly gaze at you without exhibiting any sign of anger.

The mosquito is gregarious. He loveth. the society of men. His nature is essentially social. He has a frank, dashing way, which.formal- people think savours of that familiarity which often breeds contempt. The mosquito never waits for an introduction. He will seize you by the hand or even salute your cheek on a very short acquaintance. He is persistent in his advances, and is not to be put off by cold looks or warm words. It may be said that the mosquito sticketh closer than a brother. His enemies must concede him to be a fair foe. He comes to the conflict with a note of defiance, which is more disheartening than a huge army. Like love the mosquito laughs at locksmiths— and mosquito-bars. It is in* terestiag to sit by a window any evening and watch him. If he is within two miles he proceeds for that window. When he arrives he begins to try the various avenues of approach with a view to effect an entrance. He goes to work in a systemmatic sort of way that sets the heart pit-a-pat, while under his scrutiny the efficacy of your double-power mosquito-defier be« comes a matter of gigantic interest. He diligently searcheth an aperture. He enters one of those long, bandy legs of his, and then tries to follow it. It ia only a matter of time, for he has been known as a last resort to giiaw the cotton or file the copper-wire pf opposing barriers in order to effect his. nefarious designs, Then he commits himself to downy wings, He affects not to notice you. Heappeari to be making for the other side of the room, Youlknow better. You have been watching him narrowly. You gently lift your left foot. You quietly remove the slipper therefrom. Then you rustle your robes at him, much as you would urge the course of a reluctant hen. He is driven to the wall. The slipper is 1 raised and then— • "Drop thy mantle, O, darkness! shroud over A uZ™ ** T od aa & fidd tf clover;" Thus the tragedy closes. You look upon the ruin you have wrought aad soliloquise: " Thou base ingrate: Is this the creature for whom by bloody was shed P >? Then your attention is called to the fact that a dozen or so of the red avengers are on your track. To give any fair idea of the powers of mosquitos in the various sections of our land would be a task beyond the limits of this paper. Stories of their daring and lawlessness are so frequeat and unanimous that any person claiming a reasonable amount of credence cannot but be filled with wonder and alarm. Allowance:must be made for some exaggeration, truly; but when we see, as I have frequently witnessed, a mosquito bend his bill almost double in the frantic attempt to pierces double sole and tap, we are forced to to admit that, like man, the mosquito is fearfully and wonderfully made."